The Story

Shortly after our first wedding anniversary we did what every couple tends to do and decided to try for baby. After a long 14 months of having no success we were mentally exhausted and turned to an Infertility Specialist. We learned that I have what's called Diminished Ovarian Reserve (a known side-effect of the serious acne medication, Accutane). They explained that natural conception would be unlikely and our risk of multiple miscarriages was high. We were crushed. Through all of our prayers, our hearts led us to Adoption. We met with an attorney a month later and thus began the lengthy process.

After a short wait we received the call that we were chosen by an expecting couple. We were beyond elated to be chosen. We met with the couple and they told us we would become parents to a little girl in just a few short months. To say we were excited would be an understatement.

A few weeks later, our birthmother showed signs of preterm labor. And our daughter was delivered by emergency c-section at 31 weeks gestation. She spent her first few hours of life fighting, alone in a NICU room hooked up to a ventilator. 3 pounds of pure heaven. I'll never forget the first time I laid my eyes on her, I was so scared and so in love, I just wanted to climb in her little incubator and tell her, "I'll always protect you and I promise to give you the world." And just like that all the pain of infertility was quickly forgotten.

We chose the name Finley, which means "fair warrior." Couldn't be more fitting. We learned that she had suffered Bilateral Grade-3 Brain Bleeds due to her prematurity. When we googled "Brain Bleeding" we saw that likely she would have Cerebral Palsy (CP). We were told she would be very delayed and might not ever walk. We chose to do everything in our power to make sure this wasn't the case. Early intervention is Key. We started therapy and Infant Stimulation when she was just 3 months old. We have done tri-weekly Occupational and Physical therapies, stretching programs, eye-surgery and patching, Botox injections, some medications, restricted diets, essential oils, supplements, infant massage, day bracing, night bracing, horse therapy, water therapy, kinesio-taping, and ballet. All while trying to let her just enjoy being a kid.

Finley's official diagnosis is Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy with overall Left-Side Weakness. Spastic diplegia, historically known as Little's Disease, is a form of CP that is a chronic neuromuscular condition of hypertonia and spasticity — manifested as an especially high and constant "tightness" or "stiffness" — in the muscles of the lower extremities of the human body, usually those of the legs, hips and pelvis. Spastic diplegia accounts for about 22% of all diagnoses of cerebral palsy, and together with spastic quadriplegia and spastic triplegia make up the broad classification spastic cerebral palsy, which accounts for 70% of all cerebral palsy diagnoses.

A few weeks ago, Finley was fitted for a wheel chair. It was the sweetest little chair I've ever seen. However, it was a tough pill to swallow that this new piece of equipment would be the next season of our life. We are not complaining, we know we are so blessed, but like every parent we long for endless opportunities for our girl. She wants to be standing all the time, I know this because she tells me so.

My heart breaks a little everytime.

If I could give her my legs, I would. As a parent there is nothing more devastating then watching your child suffer or struggle. She has to ask me to walk, to sit on something, to get off something, and often in the mornings she struggles to sit herself up.

A few months ago, the magic happened. An answer to our prayers.

We had many many signs leading us to this SDR surgery that is done in St. Louis. It is known as a life changing surgery for kids with Spastic CP. I've even seen it referred to as "the cure" for this type of CP. Another girl said after the surgery it was like she had new legs, a lot of people are saying that actually.

Her Pain Management Specialist told us at our last visit in Febraury that he thinks Finley would be an excellent candidate for this procedure. Really? An opportunity for new legs for Finley?!

Her Spasticity is already high and can become tighter as she grows. Often people experience joints popping out of place due to their spasticity, as well as spasms and severe muscle aches, which are all extremely painful. There are medications, but a lifetime of strong painmeds and muscle relaxers filtering through her little liver isn't what we want for her. This surgery is a permanent spasticity reducer and is best performed at the young age of 3.

Fifi will be 3 this month.

We've been through the application process and are awaiting an appointment date. We know this is the next chapter of her young life. This surgery costs $50k and traditionally insurance does not cover it. We will have to travel accross country and stay in a hotel nearby. There is greater risk of "blood clots" if you choose to fly too soon after surgery, so we are hoping to raise enough to afford renting an RV so we can keep her comfortable during the 25 hour drive. That and we will be missing work, my husband and I are both commission only so being gone almost half of a month is a very scary thing for us, it would be incredible to not have to add financial stress.

A donation of any size would help us greatly! In the event insurance does miraculously cover the surgery cost, we will save it for her future surgeries & procedures (she'll likely have dozens of them before she turns 15) but this is the BIG one. We also have the strong desire to contribute some to someone else fundraising for their child's surgery- we know, we are dreaming big! There are so many parents hoping and wanting the same thing for their kiddos and their spastic cp! (We will update as soon as we hear from insurance!)

We long to see our daughter take her first independent steps and cannot wait to dance with her and twirl her around in that tutu!

Fundraiser Updates

Posted on October 30, 2016

Posted on October 30, 2016

Hey you guys!

Today is the last day of our big miracle surgery stay at St. Louis children's hospital!

Finley underwent the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy this past Tuesday. While it's been quite a rocky road, we could not be more grateful for the future. Yesterday during physical therapy her therapist smiled at us and said, "she's going to do really well." As Finley was trying to push a shopping cart and take off to the kitchen.

I blogged the details of her surgery and our stay on www.fifiandmo.com and have put lots of pictures up.

Finley is almost back to her normal self! We will never forget this trip, or all the people it took to get us here!

I will continue to update as Finley progresses, can't wait to watch her dance one day!

Posted on October 20, 2016

Posted on October 20, 2016

The surgery is quickly approaching!! The lists have begun and sleepless nights have ensued. My husband and I continue to be in awe that we don't have to endure financial stress on top of everything else. Thank you again to those of you who took time to donate and share our crowdfund. It's because of all of you that we are even able to fulfill this dream for our daughter. We've reached our "$60,000 life-changing surgery trip "goal! Now, we are raising funds for post-op care, therapies + for future surgeries! Until insurance either decides to accept our appeal or cover all of her intensive therapy- we will be paying cash out of pocket! My ultimate DREAM is one day be able to launch "The Finley Foundation" and help Children with special needs in our community. There are so many that need assistance and grants to receive much needed therapy services + home equipment. You better believe if we can't ever officially start the foundation that we will be doing all we can to still make a difference in our community!

Posted on August 27, 2016

Posted on August 27, 2016

We have surpassed our goal!!!

Tears! This past month and a half has been extremely surreal. We cannot believe how the community came together and supported our Finley. Every single donation has been seen and we are slowly making our way through and Thanking every single one of you! It's been just awe inspiring to see.

Thank you- Thank you!

Through this experience God has opened doors and we are ready to watch His work continue through our next Project: The Finley Foundation.

This Non-Profit will help fund some of Finley's future procedures (unless we can fight for insurance to!) & also help sponsor children in need of Therapy Services in Finley's community. It will be launching this fall!

We would love to continue to see support to spread awareness of Fifi's story, because there are so many children that share the same dreams as her! Together we are paving the way of Inclusion for those with Cerebral Palsy! ??